Dynamics of Climate Activators: A Narrative Analysis of Oral Histories

• In Event: Environmental Sociology Section Roundtables
  In Refereed Roundtable (60 minute): Table 12: Environmental Movements & Activism

Abstract

Our research explores the role of community "activators" in addressing local climate issues. While prior studies have made significant contributions by focusing on large-scale environmental movements and policy-oriented efforts, and climate justice literatures have focused on various environmental inequalities, centering community approaches to climate action, there still remains a need for scholarly attention on grassroots initiatives that engage with immediate environmental challenges. To build on this previous work, we do a narrative analysis of 25 oral histories from diverse climate activists across the globe to further center community approaches that prioritize collaboration and knowledge-sharing among individuals directly affected by climate-related issues. Our methodology emphasizes the perspectives of the activists to facilitate a deeper understanding of local activism and its potential for achieving meaningful change. We situate our findings within the broader academic dialogue about climate activism, offering insights for future research and practical recommendations to enhance understanding and support for community activators. By broadening the lens through which we view climate activism, this study highlights the importance of local action in the collective effort against climate change.

Authors

• Jamie M Sommer, University of South Florida

• Peggy Ann Spitzer, Climate Knowledge Collective

• Karina Yager, School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, Stony Brook University

• Eliza White, Montclair State University

• Anabella Wiscovitch, Stony Brook University

• Genevieve Tremblay, Climate Knowledge Collective and SECOS Coastal Social-Ecological Millennium Institute

• Jannatul Ferdous Chowdhury Bushra, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Bangladesh

• Leio Koga, Human Rights and Humanitarian Action at Sciences, Po

• Emily Christoff, Climate Knowledge Collective

• Nastassya Ferns, Stony Brook University

• Jamilah Christiansen, Lehigh University